A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu following the wave of criticism that trailed her recent remarks encouraging Nigerians to start small businesses.
First Lady came under heavy criticism after a video circulated online in which she advised Nigerians to consider low-capital businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kuli-kuli, stressing that such ventures require little start-up capital.
Her comments sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians accusing the administration of failing to address the country’s worsening economic hardship and unemployment.
Reacting to the backlash in a post shared on his Facebook page on Saturday, June 27, 2026, Igbokwe described the attacks on the First Lady as unfair, saying he was ashamed by the conduct of many social media users.
According to him, what was intended as sincere advice had been turned into an opportunity for insults and abuse.
“This generation frightens me to the marrows. An honest advice HE Oluremi Tinubu gave to young Nigerians on how to help themselves has become a tool to abuse and to pour invectives.
“Social Media has become a tool to unleash scurrilous drivels even when the truth is spoken.
“We will learn las las. See the empty heads and headless mobs dancing naked in the public space left and right. Awon werey everywhere. Shame has enveloped me,” Igbokwe wrote.
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The controversy began after Remi Tinubu, while speaking to journalists, explained that the Federal Government had been supporting small businesses through grants rather than loans.
She said starting businesses such as akara frying, roasted corn and kuli-kuli production does not require huge capital, adding that her office had provided grants to beneficiaries as part of efforts to support livelihoods.
Her remarks, however, drew criticism from many Nigerians who argued that the comments failed to reflect the harsh economic realities facing millions of citizens.